A spectator recounted the harrowing moments she spent with 24-year-old Rachel Apa after the runner collapsed near the 24-mile mark of the New York City Marathon on Sunday. Michaela Nicholas, a hospital social worker, described holding Apa's hand and telling her she was not alone as medical professionals attempted to revive her.
Nicholas and her fiancé had stopped to cheer on runners when they noticed Apa, who was wearing green and had 'Rachel' on her bib. Moments after cheering her on, Nicholas saw Apa collapse about 15 yards ahead. Two other female runners stopped to assist, with one calling 911, while Nicholas broke through the spectator barrier.
Upon reaching Apa, Nicholas found her unresponsive and without a pulse. She held Apa's hand, stating, "I just wanted to make sure she wasn't scared." Two doctors in the crowd began CPR. Nicholas remained with Apa until paramedics arrived and she was taken to an ambulance.
Apa later died from rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle condition, according to her father. Nicholas, after learning of Apa's death, contacted her parents to relay that people had been with her in her final moments. Nicholas stated that Apa's parents were "loving and kind and so appreciative" of the call.
Apa was a former student-athlete who played field hockey at Bucknell University and was pursuing a graduate degree. She was running to raise funds for Parkinson's disease research. Charleston Southern University President B. Keith Faulkner noted her "selfless dedication to helping others."